Clansman Gaelic Pub a wee bit down the road in enchanting village WITH VIDEO

The Clansman Gaelic Pub, commonly known as the C-Pub, is tucked behind a castle and surrounded by the many shops of the enchanting Canterbury Village -- all located on more than 21 acres of historical land in Orion Township.

The C-Pub brings old-world charm to a small-town atmosphere. With Scottish influence throughout -- from the King's Court Castle to its shops and the C-Pub -- everything is quaintly anachronistic in this village.

The C-Pub is inviting, warm and cozy. Cathedral ceilings top arched windows of ceiling-high stained glass and walls made of cedar and stone, adorned by flags, swords and crests lit by a glow of subdued and natural lighting.

"The C-Pub provides a family-friendly, safe atmosphere where parents can bring their kids for dinner and then let them go play outside in the village while they relax and enjoy themselves," said Kirk DeHerder, manager, the Clansman Gaelic Pub. "And in the summer we open up our large patio which is perfect for dining any time of day.

"The small-town pub feel provides a great place to grab a bite to eat and enjoy one of our delicious imported beers before, during, or after one meanders through the village on cobblestone pathways to the unique shops."

Its enchanting surroundings house a hearty menu, full bar and ususual brews such as Scottish beer aged in whiskey barrels. Live music -- classic rock to Top 40 -- from 7 to 11 p.m. every Saturday offers entertainment for almost anyone.

Despite the Gaelic name, the C-Pub offers a wide selection of standard American restaurant fare. For instance, you might not expect pizza at a Gaelic pub, but here you can build your own or choose a house specialty topped with pepperoni, mushrooms, Italian sausage, red onion, green peppers and ham; the Gaelic veggie pizza with red onion, mild peppers, green peppers, mushrooms, tomatoes and black and green olives; or the Samoan, topped with ham, red onion and pineapple.

Appetizers at the C-Pub include spinach and artichoke dip; tortilla chips and housemade salsa; fried calamari served with lemon caper aioli; and the Knight's Platter, consisting of crispy french fries and golden brown onion rings with C-Pub dipping sauce.

French onion and a soup of the day are served alongside salads including Traverse City Cherry, Maurice, antipasto and garden.

House sandwiches include The Kilt -- beer battered cod covered in melted American cheese on a pretzel bun served with tartar sauce, lettuce, tomato, and onion. The Dragon's Chicken Sandwich is blackened chicken breast on a pretzel bun with Swiss cheese, roasted peppers, bacon, lettuce and tomato. And the Scotti is grilled turkey and onions smothered in melted Swiss between two pieces of toasted marble rye with honey-mustard dressing.

The outstanding burgers include a multigrain veggie patty packed with roasted vegetables served on a nine-grain sprouted bun; the Sean Connery -- a burger covered with Cajun seasoning, bleu cheese, coleslaw and C-pub sauce served on a pretzel bun; and Henry the VIII is a burger topped with sliced mushrooms and Swiss cheese served on a pretzel bun.

One item on the menu that does recall the misty isles is shepherd's pie -- seasoned ground beef with carrots, parsnips, celery and onions topped with mashed potatoes, Monterey Jack cheese and crispy fried onions.

Other comfort foods at C-Pub include beef stroganoff -- tenderloin tips and mushrooms smothered in a creamy stroganoff sauce, served over egg noodles with a side of garlic toast; chicken and a biscuit -- chicken stew topped with an oversized buttermilk biscuit; and Pasta Fresco -- a blend of seasonal vegetables sautéed in a light tomato basil sauce served over fettuccine pasta with parmesan cheese and a side of garlic toast.

The C-Pub's desserts include carrot cake with layered cream cheese frosting; chocolate lava cake filled with hot fudge served a la mode; warm apple blossom drizzled with caramel served a la mode and a snickers pie made with vanilla cheesecake, caramel, peanuts and chocolate.

Daily specials at the C-Pub include a burger and homemade chips on Monday, Wednesday and Friday; pizza and a pitcher of beer every Tuesday and Thursday and an all you-can-eat fish fry every Friday.

The pub is open from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday through Thursday, from 11 a.m. to midnight Friday and noon to 6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.